Latent Print Examiner
GRADE: 14
SALARY: $45,604 – $71,292
POSITION TITLE: Latent Print Examiner
DEPARTMENT: LABORATORY/IDENTIFICATION
REPORTS TO: LABORATORY MANAGER
Position Summary
This position prepares and identifies latent fingerprint evidence of subjects. Duties include processing evidence for possible latent fingerprints, testifying in court and maintaining latent fingerprint files.Â
FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB
Essential Functions
- Classifies and compares latent fingerprint evidence to identify and eliminate suspects of crimes.
- Analyzes, Compares, Evaluates and Verifies latent print evidence to identify and/or eliminate subjects in criminal justice matters. Contacts appropriate authorities once verification is made and prepares lab reports.
- Contacts appropriate authorities once identification is made and prepares lab reports on identifications.Â
- Evaluates latent fingerprint evidence for possible value.
- Processes evidence for possible latent fingerprints using powders or chemicals and then photographs evidence.
- Maintains and protects criminal evidence in personal custody.Â
- Testifies in court regarding latent fingerprint evidence identifications. Prepares exhibits and charts for court presentations.
- Maintains latent fingerprint evidence files.
- Maintains supplies used in processing crime scenes for the Evidence Technician Unit.
- Uses state and federal Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems.Â
- Regularly provides identification services to other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
- Complies with revisions from time to time after mutual consultation.
- Lectures and trains on the science of fingerprint technology to the St. Louis Police Academy and other local educational institutions.
- Classifies searches and compares fingerprints on arrested and potential suspects for identification.
- Performs name and fingerprint identification checks and notifies the appropriate authorities.
- Fingerprints unconscious or deceased subjects to establish identity.Â
- Fingerprints and photographs subjects in accordance with established procedures (e.g. new employees, juveniles, etc.).Â
- Performs the duties of fingerprint technicians when necessary.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license while employed by the City of St. Louis.
- Must obtain AFIS Certification by the Missouri Highway Patrol within 24 months of date of hire; become REJIS and MULES certified; and obtain IAI Latent Certification. All certifications must be maintained while employed by the City of St. Louis.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Data Utilization: Requires the ability to perform basic level of data analysis including the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize and/or reference data, statutes and/or guidelines and/or group, rank, investigate and diagnose. Requires discretion determining and referencing such to established standards to recognize interactive effects and relationships.
- Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance and/or interpretation to others, such as coworkers, attorneys, detectives and other interested personnel on how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations
- Equipment, Machinery, Tools and Materials Use: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or provide simple but continuous adjustment on equipment, machinery and tools such as Digital camera, alternate light source, basic computer programs, LIMS tracking system, and basic laboratory equipment. Additionally, for DNA typing duties: extraction robots, quantitation equipment, capillary electrophoresis equipment, and thermocyclers.
- Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as lab reports/records, test forms, requisitions, supply inventory, procedure manuals, safety manuals, equipment operating manuals, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.
- Mathematical Aptitude: City of St. Louis Criminalist January 2023 Page 3 Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages, fractions and decimals; perform mathematical operations involving basic algebra.
- Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form. Ability to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.
- Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.
- Environmental Factors: Tasks may risk exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as odors, toxic/poisonous agents, disease or pathogenic substances.
- Physical Requirements: Requires the ability to lift specimen samples and lab equipment and tools weighing up to twenty (20) pounds.
- Sensory Requirements: Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes and odors to distinguish bacteria colonies and specimen characteristics. Ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.
Minimum Qualifications:
- An Associate’s degree in Physical Science or Criminal Justice.
- Two years of experience in Latent Fingerprint Technology, OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Working Environment:
- Normal office environment with attending outside functions when required.
Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids:
- Personal Computer
- Telephone
- Cell Phone
- Copier/Fax Machine
- Vehicle
PHYSICAL/VISUAL ACTIVITIES OR DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach, grasp, talk, and hear.
This position requires clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and the ability to bring objects into sharp focus, while reading from a computer screen.
The job has light physical demand (primarily sedentary) requiring the employee to exert negligible force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects in the normal course of routine office activities.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The job description does not necessarily contain all of the actual or essential duties of this position. All job offers are contingent upon passing a medical evaluation/drug screen and criminal background check.
Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.
“Commonly associated” is not intended to mean always or only. There are different experiences that suggest other ways or circumstances where reasonable changes or accommodations are appropriate.
